Gaming performance and overclocking
We deliberately use graphics subsystems that allow for multi-GPU operation on a particular platform.
For all Intel chipset boards a couple of Radeon X1900 XTXs are used. The EVGA nForce 680i LT, being an NVIDIA chipset, is outfitted with a pair of GeForce 7900 GTXs.
The choice of graphics cards may not allow for complete comparisons between motherboards but, we feel, it's more a real-world indication of the kinds of GPUs that would be bought by readers who opt for a particular chipset, thereby keeping an upgrade path for multi-GPU operation open in the future.
Again, comparing the MSI P35 Platinum to its immediate competitors shows little performance differential - a common theme thus far.
Overclocking
Using conservative settings and no additional cooling directed towards the board, we ran a brief FSB-overclocking test.| Motherboards | MSI P35 Platinum | ASUS P5K Deluxe WiFi | ASUS P5K3 Deluxe WiFi | Foxconn 975X7AB | EVGA nForce 680i LT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum stable FSB | 378MHz | 378MHz | 393MHz | N/A | 360MHz |
Our results indicate that the sample is an average overclocker. We did manage to push the board into Windows at 473MHz FSB but it soon fell over under the slightest of loads.